Plug coupling apparatus



- 1947. o. s. FIELD 2,425,608

PLUG COUPLING APPARATUS Filed May 23, 1944 Fl-l.

'PB ii \i 41 1&0 W485 INVENTOR 0. 6.5246,

Patented Aug. 12, 1947 PLUG COUPLING APPARATUS Gscar S. Field,Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Gen--. e Railwa S gnal Comp st r,

Application May 23,, 1944, Serial No. 536,926

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to electrical contacting apparatus,and has more particular reference to an improved plug coupling means foruse in the provision oi quickly detachable electrical connectionsbetween two pieces of electrical apparatus.

This application is a continuationein-part of my co-pending applicationSer. No. 361,060, filed October ll, 1340, and entitled Light signals forrailroads, now Patent No. 2,316,534, issued May- 2 2, 1945.

One of the objects of the present inventio is to provide a plug couplingmeans in which the socket portion provides a relatively large number ofindividual and strongly biased metallic contaots r h a ng against heinserted pl g me ber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a larg number ofsocket and plug members within a limited space and so constructed as toprovide self-alignment between the socket members and their respectiveplug members.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide the socketmembers completely en-. closed within a socket board which is arrangedto assume a definite predetermined positiQn. with respect to the plugboard.

Further objects, purposes and characteristic features of this inventionwill appear as, the description progresses with respect to theaccompanying drawings, show ng in a Wholly diagram-. matic manner, andin no way whatsoever in a limiting sense one form of the presentinvention.

With reference to the drawin s; I

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the plug coupling means of he presentventi n take on line o Pie 2 viewed. in he. dire t on of. he arrows;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inside face of the socket board of the plugQOUDliIlg mean of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inside face of the p us oard. of the plugcoup i g m a s of the present invention; and

F 4 is a perspective view of one of th socket contactor elements or theplug coupling means of the present invention hown in the other views.

Referring now to the drawings, the plug coupling means constituting thepresent. invention includes a socket board SB shown in Fig. 2 and a plugboard PB shown in Fig. 3. Both of these o r s. re orm oi suitablensulating m a such. a phenol c c den t o p duct. From these two figuresit can be seen that the plug coupling mean includes a relatively largenumber of socket and plug members. and that the p it on of-the inn races of the boards can be accurately positioned with respect to eachother by reason O the beveled outline of the socket board. as ndicatedat it n .Fig. wh ch s r o d. y t e i nerf ce of a depressed p rt on. f ep us boa d P 3.- It. should be noted that. th nnerfoces of the p u oardand ocket board. o t c nt-a t. ut are spaced sli y apa due t h at a lnding s. 0;. th e n numher, on the socket board, which lugs 40 contact tree nw dly proi t n aised pad o ons 4! on e g board whereby to posii twob ard in a rtical e, re ard ess f a y Wa g near t e cen al ti n o theboards.

T pl s. board B ha a ra ity f. lus m s m unte t n, a h. c is a threadedheaded portion l1}3.w-it h a squared collar I14 fitting into acorresponding recessi n the inner face of h P s rd a d clam ed h aseinstby a screw I15 received in th socket I13. This screw I15. also fastens awire, such as wire I16 to the plug mem e an after assembly, th wire endterminal can be beaded over, orupset toforin a locking member for thescrew. Each plugmemb-er includes a plug stem l4 rounded at its end and;receivable. between the spaced parallel springy fingers I18 of a socketcontactor member, This socket contactor member, is shown in per spectivein F g. 4, and includes two side portions with slots therein to; formsix spring fingers on .each side connected at one. end by asemi-circular portion I19, and at the other end by a tubular rolledportion I80.

It can thus be seen that these socket contactor members, can be, readilymade by punchin their outline and their slots from a suitable fiatmaterial, such as phosphor.- bronze sprin material and then formed withth tubular portion lBIl followed by the bending of the semi-circularportion HQ and giving an outward slope to the free end. Referring toFigs. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the tubular portion [80. is slightlylonger than the semi-circular portion I19 for. reasons which will beapparent. as. the description pro-s gresses.

Each of these socket contactor members is. re.- ceivable in itsrespective. socket or recess 32 in. the socket, board, and, before beingassembled therein, a conn t n olt 34 s passed through the tubularportion Hill with a head I 83. bearing, against one end of the tubularportion, and with the o her e ex endingthrough a h le 84 in cov r plate.3 hiehi astened. to the so ket.

1 the self-centering feature and for receiving elongated nuts end. Thestud extends beyond l-Bl so as to pass through a. protective plate andreceives nut I93 clamping the protective board SB to cover the varioussockets or recesses tween the bolt 34 and the socket member, and

yet provides a limited amount of spring movement of the contactor memberin the slot'32 with respect to the bolt 34 acting as a pivot, to effectfor receiving a plug stem 14. This slight movement of the socketcontactor member can occur because its free semi-circular portion I19does not touch either the cover plate on the one side nor the socketboard SB on the other side since the tubular portion ISO is slightlylonger, as above mentioned. Suitable nuts 18! are 188 130 the bolts 34as shown in Fig. 1.

Threaded studs L99 are provided for fastening the cover 35 in place onthe socket board SB plate in place. This protective plate I92 isemployed to protect the lead wires I88 from interfering with otherassociated apparatus, and if it is desired to inspect the wireconnections, the nuts I93 can be removed without in any way disturbingthe clamping together of the plate 35 to the socket board SB. 7

- It should be noted that the sockets 32 in the socket board SB arearranged as shown in Fig. 2,

in diagonal positions in offset parallel rows,,

whereby to economize in space, and to permit a larger number ofconnectors in a given space than would otherwise be the case.Furthermore, each of the socket contactor members, as shown in Fig. 2,tapers from its tubular end to itsother end whereby the plug member Mwhich is of a diameter approximately that of the tubular portion 180,actswhen it enters into the socket contactor member to spring the twosides apart and cause a tight springy 12 point contact between it andthe contactor member. In other words, the spring tension of eachcontactor member is capable of being distributed between-12 differentcontacting Points on the plug member M which is obviously effective toreduce the electrical resistance between the socket contactor member andthe plug, member. permits the making of positive'electrical contactbetween the contactor member and its plug member regardless of slightdeformities in the contour of the plug member.

It .willbe noted that thesocket contactor members are held in propervertical positions with re-' spect to the direction of insertion of theplug members by reason of their respective bolts 34,

which bolts 34 are held both by the .cover 35 and suitable. recesses fortheir square head in the socket board SB as indicated in Fig. 1. Suchsupport for the contactor members is advantageous since they are looselyreceived in the recesses 32 of the socket board SB and if the contactormembers failed to assume proper positions they might not freely receivetheir respective plug 7 members and some of their contacting stripbetween the slots and might become bent or broken. I

In other words, the pivotal mounting of the contactor. members of thismultiple contact point typeiis especially advantageous toprovide for'theproper reception of the plug members. Referring to Fig. 4, itwillbe seenend of the contactor member is bent outwardly provided forclampin'gwires j I91 on the outer the clamping nut that tnerree I 75 theplug and loosely "received in the: socket; a; r

sunk so that the rounded plug members l4 may be easily inserted into thesocket board upon bringing them into close cooperation. Also, the holesfor receiving the plug members are suificiently large so that the boardPB may assume its predetermined position as determined by the bev- Thisconstruction also .eled edges above described, irrespective of slightvariations in the spacing between the plugs. It will also be apparentthat the rounded portion of V the plug members will co-act with theirrespective contactor members and cause such contactor membersto becomealigned in proper positions. In other words, the plug board can assume apredetermined position and the socket contactor members are sufllcientlyself-aligning to compensate for any variation 'in the spacing andlocations of the respective plugs and yet provide sub stantial springtension on each side of a plug member by each of the twelve contactingspring portions I18. a

The quick detachable plug coupler described above is very simple andrugged in construction; The plug and socket boards can be readily moldedof phenolic condensation product or like material and yet be entirelyeffective to take predetermined positions with respect to each other.Furthermore; any slight warping of the two boards with respecttoeach'other is ineffective to change their relative positions and'doesnot; interfere with the efiectiveness of the contact beg tween the plugmembers'and their respective socket contactor members, since such slightvariations would not appreciably. change the number of contact pointsbetween each plug member and its respective socket contactor member.This plug coupling -means of the present invention provides unusuallygood electrical contact between the respective coupling parts, due tothe large number of separate points of contact between the springyfingers of the socket members and their respective plug. members. IFurthermore, the protective plate I92 covering the connecting wires canbe removed without disturbing the'socket' members. .Also, the socketmembers can be readily disconnected and removed forre placing, ifnecessary, and reassembled without any difficulty due to their selfeadjusting, charac-- teristics. Obviously such facility isespecia1ly-de-- sired in'connectionwith inspection 'andadju sL 5 V ment,or for any other purpose, when suchplug coupling means is employed inconnection with a any manner in a limiting sense; 7 It. is to' beunederstood thatvarious modifications, adaptations,

. and alterations, can be applied to meet the re quirements of practicewithout in any 'manner departing froin'thespirit or scope ofthe'invention except as" limited by .the appended. claims.

specific descrlptionof the i Having described myinvention, I now claim:1 a V 1. Inga plug coupler mechanism, a plug'board; a. pin-like memberin'the plug board and project-; I Y ing inwardly thereof asocket board,a socket in a the socket board, alsocket contactorifor receiving coverover the socket to hold the contactor in its socket, a post fastenedtothe contaotor and extending through the cover, means clamping the postand cover together, and holding means removably holding the cover on thesocket board.

2. In a plug coupler for electrical apparatus and the like, a plugboard, a pin-like plug member in the plu board and projecting inwardlythereof, a socket board, a socket in the socket board, a socketcontactor for receiving the plug and loosely received in the socket, acover over the socket to hold the contactor in its socket, a postfastened to. the contactor and extending through the cover, means.clamping the post and cover together, holding: means removably holdingthe cover on the socket board, a protective plate received on the holdinmeans and spaced from the post, and means on the holding meansforremovably fastoning the protective plate to the socket board.

Bel a plu coupler for electrical circuits, a

Plus; board. a p n-li e plu m mb r in th pl oard and project n inward yther a socket board, a socleet in the socket board,-a contactor forreceivin the plug and loosely received in the socket, a cover over thesocket to hold the contaoto in its socket. a co as torthe e011- ta tor,nd. extending hro h t ov means clamping. e os and co e together, holdingmean rem. vabl h ld n t e over n th so t board, the contagtor comprisinga wide ribbon of springy conducting metal bent in the form of a V withone leg of the V bent in a loop for receiving the post, the plug beingreceived between the legs of the V and at a location toward the point ofthe V. 4. In a plug coupled connector, a plug board, a pin-like plugmember in the plug board and projecting inwardly thereof, a socketboard, a socket in the socket board, a contactor for receiving the plugand loosely received in the socket, Cover over the socket to. hold thecontactor in its, socket; a post fastened to the contactor and extendingthrough the cover, means clamping they post and cover together, holdingmeans removably holding the cover on the socket board, the contactorcomprising a wide ribbon of springy conducting metal bent in the form ofa V, with one leg of the V bent in a loop for receiving; the post,the'plug being received between the legs of the V and toward the pointof the V, each leg of the V having a plurality of spaced parallel slotstherein, to form a plurality of springy contact means contactingopposite sides of the plug when the coupler is connected.

5. In a plug coupling mechanism for detachably connecting a plurality ofelectrical circuits, a plug board having a plurality of plug membersprojecting therefrom, a socket board having a plurality of socketmembers for receiving said plu members, each of said socket memberscomprising an elongated contact member constructed to receive and exertcontact pressure on the opposite sides of its respective plug memberwhen such plug member is inserted intermediate of its length, saidcontact member being formed by a multiple number of contactingsubstantially straight spring portions interconnected at their oppositeends, and means attaching said contact member at one of its ends to saidsocket board, whereby said contact members are self-aligning with theirrespective plug members when such said plug board is made to co-act withsaid socket board.

6. In a plug coupling mechanism for detachably connecting a plurality ofelectrical circuits,

a'plug board having a plurality ofplug members projecting therefrom, asocket. board: having a plurality of contactors for receiving theirrespece tive plug members, each of said contactors com-3e prising a wideribbon of contactsp-ring metal bent in the form of a V with'one legofthe V bentuin the form of a loop, and a post for passing through saidloop of said contactor for mounting said contactor to said socket board,said contactors being locatedon said socket board to receive said plugmembers intermediate of their length between. the legs of. therespectivecontactors. V

7. In aplug coupling mechanism for detach: ably connecting an electricalcircuit, a receiving member comprising an, insulating socket boardhaving a recess for loosely receiving a contactor, said contactorcomprisingv a relatively wide strip 0f contacting spring metal bent inthe form of a V with one leg ofthe y bent in a loop filling h open endof the V, said eontactor having lots lo itudinally alon the le o h V torm a ura ity o nd dual contact ng suria s for c actin the oppo ite sidesof a plu m me b r when the coup er i e eeteda bin post assi h ou h 009fo m d i said c nta tor or meun n sai eo -t ete Wi hin a d recess n amann to ac s a pivot up n whicht e ed ei the e cen ctor can swi and saidinsulated socket board having a circular hole slig t y a ger than hesaid plu member ntrally lo ted ith ressee to saidreeess, er by h n e iono Said cl e memb r oushs hole enga es sa o taetewhi h b com ad y a gn wh said lus memb r by reason of its pivotal support.

8. In a plug coupling mechanism for detaehably connecting a plurality ofelectrical circuits, a plug board having a plurality of plug members ojct ng h r m a ocke b ard ha i ea corresponding plurality of holes forreceiving; saidplug members in relatively predetermined position, and anelongated contactor member opeposite each hole of said ocket board andcome is a o d s n con ac i s ip sup.-v Iw d a one nd o i s cketboardsoas to permit limited movement of its other end in a. plane,parallel to such socket board and bent to grasp the opposite sides ofits respective plug member when it is inserted, whereby a plurality ofcontacting points are provided between each contactor and its respectiveplug member, and whereby said contactors are self-aligning with respectto their respective plug members when inserted through said holes insaid socket board.

9. In a plug coupling mechanism for detachably connecting a plurality ofelectrical circuits, a plug board having a plurality of projecting plugmembers, a socket board having a corresponding plurality of holes forreceiving said plug members, and a corresponding number of contactmembers, each being pivotally mounted on that side of said socket boardaway from said plug board and located beneath its respective hole ofsaid socket board but with the pivot mounting being somewhat off centerwith respect to that hole so as to be able to swing in a plane parallelwith said socket board upon the insertion of its respective plug member,each of said contact members being slotted to provide a multiple numberof individual contact points on its respective plug member, whereby thepositioning of said plug member in direct cooperation with said socketboard causes each of said plug members to pass through its respectivehole and make a plurality of wiping contacts with its said contactnumber.

q I 10. In a plug connector, an insulating member having an elongatedrecess with an entering circular guide hole located intermediate to theends of saidrecess, a contact member formed of a resilient spring metaland having two arm portions extending substantially the length of saidelongated recess and beneath said hole with said two arm portions beingpositioned on opposite sides of the center of said hole, said armportions being. furcated to form a plurality of individual contactingpoints for each side of a plug. member inserted through said guide hole,and means fo'r rigidily supporting said contact member at one end ofsaid elongated recess to maintain said arms in proper positions for theinsertion of a plug member.

'11. In a plug coupling mechanism for detachably connecting a pluralityof electrical circuits,

a plug board having a plurality of plug members projecting therefrom, asocket board having a plurality of contactors for receiving theirrespective plug members, each of said contactors comprising a wideribbon of contact spring metal bent in the form of a V with one leg ofthe V bent to form a loop, a post associated with each contactor forpassing through th'e loop of that contactor to act as a support formounting said contactor to said socket'board in a manner to permit theclosed end of said V to swing laterally with respect to said socketboard, said contactors being located on said socket board to receivesaid plug members intermediate of their length between the legs of theirrespective contactors, and three oppositely disposed raised lugs on saidplug board to provide a three point'limit to the movement of said plugboard as it is received by said socket board. 7 v

12. In a plug coupling 'mechanism for detachably connecting a, pluralityof electrical circuits, a plug board having a plurality of plug membersprojecting therefrom and having a projecting portion around the outeredge of said plug board with its inner surface beveled, a socket boardhaving a beveled periphery for fitting within the plug board beveledportion and having a plurality of contactors for receiving theirrespective plug members, each of said contactors comprising a wideribbon of contact spring metal bent in a form of a V with one leg ofvthe V being longer than-the other and shaped in the form of'a loop toclose the open end of the V, a post on .said

socket board for each of said contactors for supporting that contactorby passing through its loop, and three oppositely disposed lugs on saidplug board for determining its position whenreceived by said beveledsocket board.

13. In a 'plug coupling mech'anismfor detachably connecting electricalcircuits, a plug board having a plurality of plug members projectingtherefrom, a socket board having a pluralityof contactors for receivingtheir respective plug members, each of said, contactors comprising aribbon ofspring metal bent in'the form of a V with one leg of the Vbeing longer than the other and shaped to form a loop within the openen'd'of the V, a post for each contactor adapted to re- .ceivevthe loopof that contactor and to support it with respect to said socket board ina manner to allow the free end' of th'e'V to swing with its post actingas a pivot, said socket board having holes therein for receiving saidplug members at points intermediate to the length of Ieachof therespective contactors, and said socket board having means supportingboth extreme portions of said posts, whereby said contactors are held invertical positions regardless of the friction established between'themand their respective plug members upon coupling and decoupling of themechanisnn 'REFEBENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe fileof thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Datef oscAR s. FIELD.

7 Australia Nov. 24, 1938

